which upper lvl science classes should i take

[commy-superman]

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I was just wondering what classes do medical schools look for besides the basic science classes? Will taking these classes boost my chances of getting in a particular school a lot?

 

[DrWuStar]

here are some that seem to be popular favorites with the ad coms:

biochem
upper level genetics or anatomy
immunology
embryology/developmental bio
anatomy
upper level inorganic chem

they will smile when they see these classes. but keep in mind they are looking for a total package of a person, not just a cookie-cutter pre-med. they also seem to like to see genuine interest in something, even if it isn't one of those things. any upper level science classes show that you can handle hard science work, even if they aren't directly related to medicine. for instance, i was an environmental studies major and took a lot of upper level ecology-oriented bio courses. i have been told that ad coms will enjoy this almost as much as the more medicine-oriented courses. they are more interested in how well you will be able to handle the material than whether you have already learned some of the material.

 

[A.D.O.R.]

biochemistry, genetics and cell and developmental biology

 

[GlcNac]

Upper level biochemistry or molecular genetics classes can be very interesting. If you like math, you might also want to try taking Pchem. (I'm not sure if this is considered upper level though.)

 

[A.D.O.R.]

stay away from this class. your g.p.a. will thank you.

To do well in p-chem you must have an unbelievable grasp of physics, general chemistry and multivariable calculus. If this is you then you will love thermodynamics and quantum mechanics.

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by A.D.O.R.
stay away from this class. your g.p.a. will thank you.

To do well in p-chem you must have an unbelievable grasp of physics, general chemistry and multivariable calculus. If this is you then you will love thermodynamics and quantum mechanics.

P-chem at a non-PhD level is interesting and quite conceptual. If you spend some time studyng the 4-5 basic concepts, you are guaranteed an A.

To get a good headstart in medschool, you need 4 UG classes : Biochem, Immuno, Cell bio, and Histo. If you take advanced cell bio, you can pretty much skip all the lectures/studying for that component at your medschool in your 1st year - that will give you more time to learn gross anatomy/(evil) embryology

 

[nanosomic]

from what I have heard embryology, biochem, genetics and physiology might help you.

 

[A.D.O.R.]

Originally posted by idq1i
P-chem at a non-PhD level is interesting and quite conceptual. If you spend some time studyng the 4-5 basic concepts, you are guaranteed an A.

Well I guess I was unfortunate enough to go to a school where undergrads and Ph.D. candidates both took the same introductory p-chem classes. Unless your particular class was considered a "gut," I doubt one need only learn a couple basic concepts and spend some time studying to guarantee an "A" in physical chemistry.

Regardless, p-chem is fine if you take it because you found calculus, physics and general chemistry enjoyable. If the OP is simply looking for classes that will make him/her better prepared for medical school, I doubt p-chem is high on anyone's list.

 

[commy-superman]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I got another question, how many people who apply to medical school do you think take all those classes?

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by A.D.O.R.
Well I guess I was unfortunate enough to go to a school where undergrads and Ph.D. candidates both took the same introductory p-chem classes. Unless your particular class was considered a "gut," I doubt one need only learn a couple basic concepts and spend some time studying to guarantee an "A" in physical chemistry.

Regardless, p-chem is fine if you take it because you found calculus, physics and general chemistry enjoyable. If the OP is simply looking for classes that will make him/her better prepared for medical school, I doubt p-chem is high on anyone's list.

My class was mixed too - it was a 300/500 level course. By a "few concepts" I meant stuff like G, S, planck, etc. All other pchem topics revolve around these. I also had no use for calc in the class - we just had to be aware of the derivations of equations.

I do agree with you on pchem vs. medschol prep. It's not needed. Now Bio-p-chem........ 🙂

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by commy-superman
Thanks for all the replies guys. I got another question, how many people who apply to medical school do you think take all those classes?

I did =) Requirements of my major (Biochem)

 

[raining4days]

Being a science major and/or taking upper-level science courses will not boost your changes in getting into a particular medical school. Having a stellar GPA is one of the ways.

 

[TTSD]

Some fun classes:

- Biochemistry

- Developmental (Try taking a neuro-specific one.. lots of fun.. your textbooks are full of disclaimers saying all the stuff you're about to learn are still infantile theories).

- Anatomy (Take an evolution or comparative course. It's not just straight memorization but lots of integration and especially physics).

- Physiology

- Cell/Molecular Bio (Or if your school offers them seperately more in depth, take them).

- Genetics

- Take lots of neuro classes. I believe in neuroscience you REALLY can tell if you've learned your stuff. From anatomy to organic chemistry and physics. Not too many other bio classes will have you drawing electrical charts and crunching numbers while memorizing out of the Netter books. Also helps for the MCAT =)

- Cancer Biology. A real B*TCH of a class. Imagine the ugly inbred child of three-way between organic chemistry, anatomy, and molecular. That's the kind of class you're looking at. But if anything, it makes you look smart when you talk about it. It's also even MORE interesting if you take it before your cell/molecular class.. ever been on AP before? =)

- Microbiology.

- Virology.

- Lots of psych and behavioral classes. These are GREAT to talk about at Starbucks. I swear, the joke you can relate almost anything back to sex? Yup.. still holds true.

 

[commy-superman]

Originally posted by raining4days
Being a science major and/or taking upper-level science courses will not boost your changes in getting into a particular medical school. Having a stellar GPA is one of the ways.

So your saying majoring in biology with a 3.5 gpa is same as a person who is majoring in communications with a 4.0

 

[Cerberus]

you'll be totally lost in med school without Partial Differential Equation